Self-sealing closure valve for collapsible tubes



May 23, 1933. E, A. WEKERLEA 1,910,452

SELF SEALING GLOSURE VALVE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed March 10, 1932 Patented May 23, 1933 unirse srArss PATENT, orrie ERNEST AUGUST WEKERLE, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSXGNOR T0 `D'A'VILD BLANKHORN, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA SELF-SEALING CLOSURE' VALVE FOR CKOLLAPSIBLE TUBES Application led March 10, 1932. Serial No. 598,061.

This invention relates to collapsible tubes and more particularly to a self-sealing closure for a collapsible tube.

An object of this invention is to provide a. self-sealing means for a collapsible tube which can be mounted on any conventional tube, said means operating automatically to close the discharge port of the tube upon `release of pressure within the tube.

Another object oi this invention is to provide an exceedingly simple automatically closing means for a collapsible tube which embodies only two parts so that the device will not readily get out of order during the use orn the tube and will eii'ectively seal the discharge nozzle or port so as to prevent drying out of the material within 'the tube.

The above and various other objects and advantages oil this invention will in part be described in and in part be understood from the following detailed description of the present preferred embodiment, the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of a collapsible tube partly broken away and in section having a device constructed according to the preferred embodiment oitl this invention mounted therein, the device being shown in longitudinal section and in closed position.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the device in open position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the iiXed valve member.

Figure d is a bottom plan view of the fixed valve member.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially through the longitudinal center of the movable valve.

Figure is a bottom plan view of the movable valve.

Referring to the drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter C designates generally a collapsible tube which is provided with a neck or nozzle 10. In order to provide means whereby the discharge neck or nozzle 1() may be automatically closed upon release of pressure on the material within the tube C, l have provided a hired member including a 'cylindrical portion 11 which is mounted within the interior of the neck 10 in a iixed position relative to the neck.

An' axially disposed stem 12 is mounted within the cylindrical body 11 and has a connecting plate 13 connecting the inner end of this stem 12 to the inner end of the cylindrical body 11. The inner plate or bottom 13 is provided with a plurality of discharge openings 14 which are disposed about the periphery of the post or stem 12, and this inner bottom or plate 13 is also provided with opposed slots 15, the purpose tor which will be hereinafter described. The outer end ot the stem 12 is closed and is curved in the form of a hemisphere, as at 16, and this curved portion constitutes a valve seat which is, in the present instance, disposed outwardly from the outer edge of the cylindrical body 11.

'A movable valve member, generally des-l ignated as 17, which is provided with a cylindrical wall 18, is slidably mounted within the interior of the fixed body 11, and this cylindrical portion18 is provided at the in# ner edge thereof with a plurality of inwardly extending springs 19 which slidably engage in the slots 15 of the bottom'or inner plate 13. The valve member 17 is provided at the outer end thereof with a cap 2( having a discharge port 21 therethrough, which port 21 is adapted to engage over the head 16 of the stem'12 und-er the action ot' the springs 19 so as to prevent the passage of any plastic material through the discharge port 21.

In the operation of this device, the fixed valve member 11 may be mounted within the neck 10 of the tube C, this mounting being either in the form of a press fit or a screw thread connection so as to prevent movement of the fixed valve member 11 relative to the neck 10 under the action of the pressure of the plastic material within the tube C. As the tube C is collapsed and the material forced through the discharge ports 14 and into the interior of the cylindrical lvalve portion l1, the material will press=-against the cap or plate 20 and force this movable valve member 17 outwardly against the tension of the springs 19, thereby permitting the material to pass outwardly through the discharge port 21. vWhen the pressure in the tube C has been relieved, the tension of the springs 19 will pull the valve member 17 inwardly of the cylindrical body ,11 and the plate 2O will seat on the head 1G thereby pre venting the passage of anyv additional material out of the tube. f

It will be noted from the foregoing that A an exceedingly simple collapsible tube closure has been provided wherein the operation of the closure is automatic so that none of the material within the tube will exude from the tube unless pressure is applied to the tube so as to force the automatic valve member into open position.

lVhile I have shown the spring members 19 as being formed with the cylindrical portion 18 of the valve 17, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, as these springs'l) may be either formed with the member 18 or secured thereto in any desired or conventional manner.

Y It is, of course, understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of the following claims.

Vhat is claimed is 1. An automatic tube closure comprising a fixed valve member including a. cylindrical member xedly mounted in the discharge neck of a. collapsible tube. an apertured plate formed with the cylindrical member and positioned on the inner end thereof, an axial valve head carried by the plate, and a movable valve member engaging the valve head, said movable valve member including resil ient means engaging the plate to constantlyL urge the movable valve member into closed position.

2. An automatic tuberclosure comprising a fixed valve member and a movable valve member, said fixed valve member including a cylindrical body adapted to be fixedly positioned in the discharge neck of acollapsible tube, an inner plate formed with the body and having discharge apertures therethrough, a valve head carried by the plate and disposed axially of the body, said movable valve including an outer plate having a discharge port axially thereof, the marginal edges of said port engaging the head to close the port, and resilient lingers carried by the movable valve member and engaging the inne-r plate to constantly urge said outer plate into closed position.

3. Anrautomatic tube closure comprising a cylindrical member adapted to be ixedly positioned on the discharge neck of a collapsible tube, an inner apertured plat-e formed with the cylindrical member, a valve head carried by the inner plate and disposed axially of the cylindrical member, a cupshaped movable valve member telescoping within the cylindrical member, said movable valve member having a discharge port relatively smaller than said valve head and disposed axially thereof, and resilient fingers carried by the Vinner edge of said movable valve and engaging said inner plate to Constantly urge the movable valve member into closed position.

ll. An automatic'tube closure comprising a kcylindrical body adapted to be iixedly secured to the discharge neck of a collapsible tube, a plate formed with the inner end of the body, said plate having a plurality of discharge ports therethrough, a valve head formed with the plate and extending axially and outwardly thereof, a eupshaped movable valve member slidably mounted Within said body and having a discharge port axially thereof relatively smaller than said valve bead,'a plurality of inwardly directed resilient members carried by said movable valve, said inner plate having a plurality of slots to loosely receive said resilient members, said resilient members constantly urging said movable valve into contact with said head to close the discharge port.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

ERNEST AUGUST WEKERLE. 

